The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-15
Farmers and commercIaI Union.

The Biddeford Times, which advocates
commercial union with good deal of ability,
In a recent issue, referring to some facts
given the PRESS by Mr.. |. G. Libby and his
conclusions therefrom. says:
In his conclusion on the facts he cites, Mr..
Libby commits the grave but common error OF
assuming that were the duty on Canadian agrcul-
of the American farm would be reduced by just
the amount OF the duty removed. NO assumption
millions and Canada country of sixty millions,
and did we depend upon Canada for food supply,
there might be some foundation for the argument.
Now the fact is that commercial union between
the United States and Canada would at once have
the effect Of raising the prices Of agricultural
products in Canada 10 correspond with prices
In this country. little reflection must con-
vince anyone that this would be the inevitable
result. The Canadian farmer wants as much as
he can get for his products and he would not be
slow to demand the same prices which are paid
to farmers on this side Of the line-and he would
get them.
Undoubtedly the Canadian farmer wants
all he can get for his products, just as the
Maine farmer does, and will doubtless
demand all that he can get. But it is evil
dent that his only reason for expecting
higher price under commercial union than
under the present arrangement is because
the markets of the United States would then
be open to him on more favorable terms than
now. He now enjoys the markets of Canada
free from competition, and the best price he
can get from them he is getting now. If the
markets Of the United States are opened to
him of course he gets more opportunities for
the sale Of his products, greater demand is
created, and the chances are that he will
get greater prices. If W, were farming in
New Brunswick we shoald certainly advo-
cate commercial union as one of the best ar
rangements possible for the New Bruins
wick farmer. 1t is difficult to understand
how there can be an opponent of commercial
union among the farmers or fishermen of
New Brunswick or Nova Scotia.
BUthow is it with the Maine farmer. lie
.aspresenti is more prosperous than his neigh
Dor across the border. That is not denied
anywhere. He is able to sell without much
difficulty all he raises. Now the New Bruins
wick farmer steps up to him and says; "You
open your markets to me and | will open
my markets to you" But" replies the
Maine farmer, your markets are not as
good as mine. You enjoy yours practically
free from competition, but you do not get
along as well as do" "That is true," re-
spends the Canadian, but if we make the
markets Of the two countries common to us
all can get more for my products" mo
doubt that is so" replies the American, ''but
can get as much as before you came in
viii not be subjected to a competition that
Twas free from before, and will not the re-
suit of be to cut down the prices that / am
at present receiving? The extent of your
competition may not be sufficient to cut down
my prices to your present prices, but will it
not be sufficient TO cut them down some
what?"
The answer TO this question should 20 far
TO decide the Maine farmers attitude on the
subject Of commercial union We believe the
answer is that it would cut down the price
of the Maine farmers products somewhat
We do not claim that it would cut them
down to the extent of the duty. But it would
bring new competition into our markets and
the effect would be some reduction from the
present prices II this conclusion is correct
then the farmers Of Maine have good reason
for opposing commercial union.
We are not disposed to contend that there
are not interests in the United States, inter-
ests in Maine, that would be be benefited by
commercial union. There undoubtedly are,
just as there are interests that would be ben
Gifted by general policy of free trade But
we do not believe that the farming interest
is one Of. them.